Shipyard Brewing distributing beer in cans for first time

The Associated Press •July 21, 2012 3:08 pm

PORTLAND, Maine — Maine’s largest brewery has begun distributing beers in cans for the first time.

Shipyard Brewing Co. this week began selling its Export ale in cans, marking the first time the 18-year-old Portland brewery has sold any of its beers in cans. It will begin selling its Pumpkinhead ale in cans nationwide later this summer.

Shipyard is joining the growing number of craft beer companies nationwide that have begun distributing their products in cans in addition to bottles.

Shipyard is brewing its canned beers at a brewery in Memphis, where a canning line is already set up.